The danger of America's declining moral authority
By Kristin Lord and Paul J.

Institute of Peace. Paul J. Saunders is executive director of the Center for the National Interest and served as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs in the George W. Bush Administration. The views expressed are their own.
So far, the twenty first century has been a frustrating one for Americans. The United States louis vuitton yellow alma bag has extraordinary military might and technological prowess, which it uses to protect itself, its allies and its partners. Yet, for many here and around the world, the ways in which America exercises this power revealed in part by Edward Snowden one man crusade against the National Security Agency have contributed to searching questions about the United States' future and its international role. leaders ignore them at their peril.
The United States is not just a great power, but an idea. Americans like it that way and we are justifiably proud of an exceptional if complex history. The value of this strategic advantage endures today. Losing it could do more to harm American power than any realistic military or economic threat on the horizon and regaining it could take decades. There are many reasons for this, ranging from well intended military interventions that have produced mixed results, to perceptions that the United States has applied human rights standards inconsistently, allegations of torture and other abuses like those at Abu Ghraib, a major financial crisis, and apparent political dysfunction within our own borders.
Some of the change in global attitudes toward the United States is inevitable in the post Cold War information age social media, 24 hour media cycles, and the rise of entertainment news expose (and sometimes overblow) every misstep. Meanwhile, the existential confrontation between democratic capitalism and communism (never actually that simple) has ended and a decade has passed since the 9/11 attacks. Though a wide range of threats still loom, few appear existential, raising new questions about whether America can continue to justify what many consider extraordinary means. leaders consider their options. allies louis vuitton neverfull mm quanto costa and friends like Germany, France and Brazil have objected forcefully to the scope of National Security Agency intelligence gathering operations as well as some prominent targets. It is unclear what intelligence would justify offending an important ally like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who called President Obama to complain that her cellphone was monitored. friends limit future cooperation or impose stringent privacy restrictions on American firms to satisfy angry populations. It may also undermine counter terrorism cooperation and standards of openness on the Internet. This movement has in its sights the open Internet that promotes commerce and allows dissidents to remain anonymous. Will the United States be able to credibly defend these standards as its security agencies monitor millions of people around the globe?
Most dangerous of all, however, may be the growing perception one that spans the ideological spectrum that the United States shows too little concern for international rules and norms. use of force, whether on a large scale or in unilateral, low level drone attacks, as well as by the monitoring and intelligence gathering from even our closest allies. interests, promotes peace and prosperity, and sustains American global leadership.
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Vital American national interests may require the United States to go its own way at times and ignore global opinion more frequently. The United States must do what is necessary to protect its most important interests. leaders have a casual disregard for international rules and norms undermines American leadership, which is ultimately founded upon our ability to solve common problems not our skill in looking after ourselves. leadership but are unlikely to supplant it. foreign policy, and it must be attempted honestly and seriously if it is to succeed. Nor is it earned through moral sounding policies that fail to deliver moral results. The challenge is to more consistently match word with deed, something that requires being more deliberate about what we do as well as what we say.
Restoring the power of the American example will be no easy task balancing immediate national security concerns, like transnational terrorism and cyber threats, with America overarching reputation and values, is simply hard to do. But it might prove easier if American leaders remember that these values are fundamental to American power.
Moral starts at home. massive financial fraudulent, scam of the dotcom and mortage, an economic policy that encourages massive outsourcing, tax evasion., without anyone being held responsible,. dont even mention the well being of others. The world knows this. Obama has an opportunity to correct the situation, but he failed, because if he digs deeper, many who support him will go to jail or being partly blamed for. The party keeps going.
November 18, 2013 at 7:57 pm Reply
I think the world sometimes forgets and takes for granted exactly how much we do as a country for the international community. We fund a large percentage of the UN, more than any other country. We run NATO at the benefit of all our allies and our financial cost. We send carrier groups and millions upon billions of aid to countries that face natural disasters. And we fund most third world countries, providing defense and economic spending in an effort to industrialize a push these countries towards a higher quality of life.
As a result people complain that our hands are everywhere and complain when it turns out that in addition to funding and protecting the world, we also gather information and make sure no one tries to screw us louis vuitton alma bag ebay over in the process.
So I ask you, the international community. Do you want the US now, or absolutely no US involvement or funding anywhere. Take your pick, because we aren just gonna give you these things and not expect our interests in the international community to be preserved
November 18, 2013 at 11:13 pm Reply
Obama is Bush No we wont invade somebody, but we will bomb whomever we want. He keep Bush spying program going. The American people have voted for these people to be in office, and continually approve of what is happening by voting for these people or members of their party. It was torture you jerk! He likes to get out of admitting it cause he in the same party as Bush, if it had happened under Obama (or a Dem) he would have no problem stating that it was in fact torture. All politicians live in glass houses and we will get nowhere quickly if we keep following them. If you voted dem or rep, you are the problem, the politicians only the symptoms.
November 19, 2013 at 1:21 pm Reply
America has always been seen as a place where people can live free from religious hatred and can live the American Dream of having a good job with a white picket fence, and enough money to support their family Sometimes we need our great National Security agency from FBI to Homeland Security men and women who put their own lives, on the line so we can live in peace from threats of terrorism from some crazy Spanish of Middle East group that has big hatred for America. So this nonsense that we live in a police state or that the government likes to spy on us should be left to the fantasy novels or films, yes I would like a government who takes care of it citizens safety and put the country National Security at the top of the list of things to do. I don mind if the government does some spying from our Library records to everyday use if it in the best interest of our great nation. So as American we know our nation is not perfect but what other nation in the globe is perfect, really every nation has it fault but we know as Americans we must to learn to fix what wrong with our nation and make one that other nation respect and want to trade with us for years to come.
November 24, 2013 at 10:47 pm Reply
Americans have perpetually been in love with themselves to the point of insanity. Like a rapist who keeps admiring himself in the mirror and proclaiming endlessly louis vuitton authentication wallet how caring and just he is. American hypocrisy and double standards though are legendary. From the outset, America was created through genocide, slavery, racism, and violence. Actions speak much louder than hollow lofty words. Whilst America has achieved many admirable things and done good as well, it is a self obsessed nation of greed that uses force to further its own interests whilst denying others the right to pursue the same. Americans self righteously lecture others about law, human rights, democracy, and freedom, imaging that they have some kind of monopoly on these univeral concepts even whilst America has done more than most nations to violate these very ideals. Sure there are other nations that may be worse as superpowers than America has been, including China and Russia, but the reality is that America is the only nation is history to have used nuclear weapons against a foe who had practically no chance of winning the war in any case. America supports international pariah states like Israel (regarded as the serial rapist of the region by its neighbours) even helping it to secretly acquire nuclear weapons whilst hounding Iran which does not toe the line. Certainly not Palestinians who don seem to qualify for America democracy and freedom. International conventions and laws are enforced only on America foes whilst it together with its allies flout and violate the same with impunity. What America does do well is everything possible to maintain the global order which it rules with the acquiescence and support of its cronies and allies who benefit from its protection. And that global order is heading towards a big shakeup, and none too soon.
November 25, 2013 at 10:44 pm Reply
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